What I'd really like to see here overall, is more of a feeling of camaraderie! We all know what it's like to go out there and run our asses off, but we also have different reasons for doing so. Only posting what you did today doesn't necessarily help inspire others. But sure, after we get settled, we'll all feel our way through it.

It would be nice to get some basic background on all those who participate. I'll go first:

I've never considered myself a runner. I've been lifting for approx 9yrs, but only 3.5 seriously. Not so coincidentally, in the quest for stepping things up, I took my oldest son's challenge to run a 5K in 06'. Never ran my entire life before this. Seriously. But I also never shied away from a challenge, Within 90 days, this old man (age 47 at the time and still smoking for 35yrs) finished his first 5K with his sons, at a 8:37 mile pace (26:45 total time). Not only were my sons proud of me, but I was bitten by the bug!

For me, running is largely just a way for me to feel somehow .....unrestricted. I mean, after all...it's not only unlike lifting...it's an even "bigger rush", on a more consistent basis, if you will.

Please "introduce" yourself, and give us some background and idea of what "level" you're currently at. The rest? We'll fill in as we go.

Hey, look who's in first!

Bet you're shocked Kevin...I see somebody talking about running and I'm on it like stink on ****.

You and I have had some extensive conversations about my past, but for everybody else-

between the ages of 20-22 I ran like my life depended on it. I was running ~35-50 miles per week, 12-15 on a regular basis. Never competed in anything longer then a 10k, was consistenatly running at a sub-7 minute per mile pace.

Started up again exactly 8 weeks ago. Because of you and the current runner's thread, I've pushed hard to where I ran 6 miles yesterday, and that's only the beginning.

Running is an absolute addiction for me, I love the way it feels. I love feeling like my clothes are just hanging off of me. I love the way it improves my performance in MA and lifting.

Goals-

hmmm...got some listed in my signature as far as races I'm either registered for or thinking about, but my one serious goal that I have right now is the '10 Marine Corps Marathon.

My goals-

Today, I want to better then I was yesterday. Tomorrow, I want to be better then I am today.

I'v run since I was a kid. I high school I was a cross country guy. In college I was doing 60 - 70 mile weeks. I was running the 400m. After that I ran to stay in shape for the Army. Now I run mostly for my own ammusement and meditation.

My only goal is to have a better time than last year for the Cotton Row and compete in a sprint tri.

I'm really looking foreward to seeing what you guys have to say.

"The best-laid schemes o mice an men Gang aft agley." Robert Burns

"You can believe in stones as long as you don't throw them at me." -

"Some say he can swim seven lengths under water and he has webbed buttocks. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

"Some say that his skin is the texture of a dolphin's and that he has his own satellites. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

This thread should be stickied soon. As far as running for meditation, man, I haven't made this much time for listening to music since I can remember when. Seriously. It's a very much, two sided coin here.

This thread should be stickied soon. As far as running for meditation, man, I haven't made this much time for listening to music since I can remember when. Seriously. It's a very much, two sided coin here.

Now that it's spring all the flowers and wildlife really make getting out on a run worth it.

"The best-laid schemes o mice an men Gang aft agley." Robert Burns

"You can believe in stones as long as you don't throw them at me." -

"Some say he can swim seven lengths under water and he has webbed buttocks. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

"Some say that his skin is the texture of a dolphin's and that he has his own satellites. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

This thread should be stickied soon. As far as running for meditation, man, I haven't made this much time for listening to music since I can remember when. Seriously. It's a very much, two sided coin here.

I go back and forth with listening to music when I run. Sometimes I like to crank something loud and heavy through my head while I'm running. Sometimes, I like the quiet peace of nature, or the squeals and screams of little kids playing soccer.

Oh, just got in. 4 miles, 46:35 (today was my 'easy' day after my long run). Real dense fog in the air right now, very still and quiet outside. Been raining most of the day but stopped a couple hours ago. Very quiet at the track (God, I HATED running laps at the track)

My goals-

Today, I want to better then I was yesterday. Tomorrow, I want to be better then I am today.

I go back and forth with listening to music when I run. Sometimes I like to crank something loud and heavy through my head while I'm running. Sometimes, I like the quiet peace of nature, or the squeals and screams of little kids playing soccer.

I still let it go on shuffle. Every once in a while, a sleepy jazz tune might come on, but other than that....I'm usually pleasantly surprised. On my 10.8 mile run last week, when I felt like I might not be able to finish that last mile...Zep's Achille's Last Stand came on. Perfect timing!

Originally Posted by snoack

Oh, just got in. 4 miles, 46:35 (today was my 'easy' day after my long run). Real dense fog in the air right now, very still and quiet outside. Been raining most of the day but stopped a couple hours ago. Very quiet at the track (God, I HATED running laps at the track)

Wow, now 4 miles is your easy run?

And I know what you man about running laps; I went to the local HS track (rubber coated) with my youngest son last year. I'd almost rather run on a treadmill!

I still let it go on shuffle. Every once in a while, a sleepy jazz tune might come on, but other than that....I'm usually pleasantly surprised. On my 10.8 mile run last week, when I felt like I might not be able to finish that last mile...Zep's Achille's Last Stand came on. Perfect timing!

OK, so I am no runner and have no business in here BUT.

I use an iPod and the newer versions of iTunes have a feature called Genius which allows you to pick one song and it will create a play list with other similar songs and it works pretty well. I am actually quite surprised by some of the songs I have that I wasn't even aware of that are really cool.

As for you runners... don't you feel all special with your own sticky thread and all!

Last edited by SP1966; 04-20-2009 at 05:48 PM.

"However widespread the desire to be free, it is wholly different from a desire to live in a society where others are free."

I use an iPod and the newer versions of iTunes have a feature called Genius which allows you to pick on song and it will create a play list with other similar songs and it works pretty well. I am actually quite surprised by some of the songs I have that I wasn't even aware of that are really cool.

I know there are sites out there to help you find songs that are alike (so my son has told me ).

Originally Posted by SP1966

As for you runners... don't you feel all special with your own sticky thread and all!

Damn right . There are more runners around this place than most might think.

Hidey ho. Quick history on me.
- 2000 - smoked 1.5 - 2 packs a day. Quit smoking and caffeine in Nov, 2000.
- 2001 - weighed in at about 300. Modified diet and started walking
- 2002 to 2005 - got down to about 235-240 after adding in weights and short runs (like .5 milers)
- May 2005 - ran my first ever 5K. Finished in 38+
- End of 2005 - applied for a job requiring me to do a physical test, including beating about 12:00 for the 1.5 mile and 52s for the 300M. Long process for the job, so had time to work up to it.
- 2006-2007 got down to about 200 pounds, dropped my 5K to 22:28, my 1.5 miler to sub-10, and my 300M to 47s. Ran about 12-15 5K races in this time too.
- 2008 - Worked on a base of 15-20 miles weekly or so.
- 2009 - Running a half in 2 weeks, first one ever. Aiming for 1:45 or better, which is pretty conservative. Currently doing 30-45 miles a week, most in the 8-9 minute per mile range.

After the half, I am focusing on getting my 5K time below 20:00, along with adding more weightlifting back in.

Hey everybody.....my running history is pretty short lived. I used to run as conditioning for sports and absoloutely LOATHED running. Last year in my quest to lose a boatload of weight I decided that running was gonna do it for me. Well it sure did. I started off running about a mile in about 10 minutes and man I was whipped after that. However I kept at it and ended up running a 5k in september and placed in the top 300 of 3000 finisher with a time just over 21 minutes. As of the last month I've decided I am switching modes to try and add a little mass and I have cut out my running, but I plan to begin to implement a once a week run of 2-3 miles just to keep myself in shape.

I probably won't be a real regular poster here for a while...but I will check in on everybody from time to time.

"Some people are like Slinkies. They're not really good for anything but they sure bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs."

You know, I still wear my HRM on every run. I still check it to see if I'm pushing too hard, but it's as much a "gadget" that keeps me motivated to drive the numbers up . Hey, anything that works, right?

I will sheepishly admit that pandora is what got me into Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, and Nick Drake. It is genius how they match you to music you just like

OK, this is gonna cost you to keep this a secret, k? . It may sound close minded, but of the 3460+ songs I have now, all except maybe 100 songs or so came directly from my own CDs. I keep thinking I'm "done", but then flashback to some song, and then I'll go find it on the net. A lot of "one hit wonders" are my latest additions.

Originally Posted by snoack

well...I AM special...

and, like Kevin said, there's a lot more of us out here then you might think.

Damn right . I'm about to go run, as I'm sticking with my previous M,W,F DC split for weights. Took me a week to figure out what I was going to do.

Damn right . I'm about to go run, as I'm sticking with my previous M,W,F DC split for weights. Took me a week to figure out what I was going to do.

I'm still trying to figure mine out, but I think I have a schedule in mind that will work. MA is going to take somewhat of a back seat for the next several weeks, at least until I start black belt academy in late June. Truth be told, I'm somewhat bored with it at the moment. Probably going to limit myself to one class per week and just run and lift the rest of the time.

My goals-

Today, I want to better then I was yesterday. Tomorrow, I want to be better then I am today.

Running is an absolute addiction for me, I love the way it feels. I love feeling like my clothes are just hanging off of me. I love the way it improves my performance in MA and lifting.

I want this (feeling) too!

Originally Posted by dbx

This thread should be stickied soon. As far as running for meditation, man, I haven't made this much time for listening to music since I can remember when. Seriously. It's a very much, two sided coin here.

I found I can't liten to music when I run outside.

Originally Posted by rpaul11

Hey everybody.....my running history is pretty short lived. I used to run as conditioning for sports and absoloutely LOATHED running. Last year in my quest to lose a boatload of weight I decided that running was gonna do it for me. Well it sure did. I started off running about a mile in about 10 minutes and man I was whipped after that. However I kept at it and ended up running a 5k in september and placed in the top 300 of 3000 finisher with a time just over 21 minutes. As of the last month I've decided I am switching modes to try and add a little mass and I have cut out my running, but I plan to begin to implement a once a week run of 2-3 miles just to keep myself in shape.

I probably won't be a real regular poster here for a while...but I will check in on everybody from time to time.

you are da man!

I am currently following a running schedule that is provided on a webite I use for prepping for the po-po. My first run is 40 min 6km. I think it means Run either for 40 min or 6km which ever comes first. Well that's how I am taking it

I used my new HR monitor last and it was pretty cool! Tonight's run will be on the boring treadmill b/c the weather is CRAP today!

I wish I was a glow worm
'Cause a glow worm is never glum,
How can you be sad
When the sun shines out your bum?

Ran for an easy four miles yesterday, a day after squats/deadlifts in a full-body workout (dbx - took the reps to 15. Definitely feel it ) I'm not sure yet today whether yesterday's runs are reducing DOMS or just kind of making the whole experience that much more "real"...

Anyway, after 17 miles last week, this week will be a little easier, down to 10. In part it's because last week's mileage was a significant increase all at once, and in part it's because of some mild soreness in my achilles tendons.

I'm going to be working up to a lot of miles per week, which will hopefully give me tendons of steel.

Cactus -- have fun with the HRM! Just remember that heart rate is variable, and shouldn't generally be used to limit the intensity of your cardio/running. A talk test is a much more reliable guide of how hard you're working.

I use my HRM to track heart rate over time (as my runs get longer, etc.) as well as occasional testing for max heart rate, heart rate recovery time and resting heart rate.

I go back and forth with listening to music when I run. Sometimes I like to crank something loud and heavy through my head while I'm running. Sometimes, I like the quiet peace of nature, or the squeals and screams of little kids playing soccer.

I always listen to music when I work out, but the type depends on the kind of workout. For lifting, I prefer hard/classic rock, and for running it's mostly electronic/techno type stuff. Weird how that works.

I am currently following a running schedule that is provided on a webite I use for prepping for the po-po. My first run is 40 min 6km. I think it means Run either for 40 min or 6km which ever comes first. Well that's how I am taking it

I used my new HR monitor last and it was pretty cool! Tonight's run will be on the boring treadmill b/c the weather is CRAP today!

I can't listen to music either. I think it's a safety risk. You can't here other people or cars aproaching. Also, for me it's much more relaxing to here what is around me.

Don't let a little weather stop you from going outside. I hate treadmills.

"The best-laid schemes o mice an men Gang aft agley." Robert Burns

"You can believe in stones as long as you don't throw them at me." -

"Some say he can swim seven lengths under water and he has webbed buttocks. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

"Some say that his skin is the texture of a dolphin's and that he has his own satellites. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

Running is an absolute addiction for me, I love the way it feels. I love feeling like my clothes are just hanging off of me. I love the way it improves my performance in MA and lifting.

I know what you mean. When I was younger, I hated to run. I got winded easily and I just figured I wasn't very good at it. Weird how things change -- I used to hate broccoli, too

I love the feeling when I'm near the end of a long run, I know I'm just about to set a new mileage PR and I feel like I can't be stopped. Don't know if it's second wind or runner's high, but it sure feels great.

I can't listen to music either. I think it's a safety risk. You can't here other people or cars aproaching. Also, for me it's much more relaxing to here what is around me.

Don't let a little weather stop you from going outside. I hate treadmills.

HA HA HA if I had to run in yetrsdays' weather...I owuld have died. It was freaking freezing, it was raining cats and dogs and the wind was so strong it was pushing me along...lol. Running in the rain is THE worst!

I wish I was a glow worm
'Cause a glow worm is never glum,
How can you be sad
When the sun shines out your bum?

HA HA HA if I had to run in yetrsdays' weather...I owuld have died. It was freaking freezing, it was raining cats and dogs and the wind was so strong it was pushing me along...lol. Running in the rain is THE worst!

I don't know. I've always run my best races in the rain, especially if the course is really muddy also.

I guess in Canada its different with the cold. It never gets really cold down here.

"The best-laid schemes o mice an men Gang aft agley." Robert Burns

"You can believe in stones as long as you don't throw them at me." -

"Some say he can swim seven lengths under water and he has webbed buttocks. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

"Some say that his skin is the texture of a dolphin's and that he has his own satellites. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

Probably going to limit myself to one class per week and just run and lift the rest of the time.

Sounds like a plan to me .

Originally Posted by cactusflower

I found I can't liten to music when I run outside.

I bought my MP3 player "blindly", so to speak, and worried that I might have this problem. Thankfully, I did not! I love this stupid thing.

Originally Posted by cactusflower

I used my new HR monitor last and it was pretty cool! Tonight's run will be on the boring treadmill b/c the weather is CRAP today!

I posted a link (I added several) in the first post in this thread, and one deals with determining your max HR, which you need to do to accurately assess cals burned etc., and to give proper perspective as to what "average" and "peak" mean when your HRM tells you at the end. If you need any help, ask away..

Originally Posted by Analyst

Hey - good to see a sticky!

We deserve it .

Originally Posted by Analyst

Ran for an easy four miles yesterday, a day after squats/deadlifts in a full-body workout (dbx - took the reps to 15. Definitely feel it ) I'm not sure yet today whether yesterday's runs are reducing DOMS or just kind of making the whole experience that much more "real"...

Too early to tell about DOMS, but I suspect you'll be feeling it approaching night time, and then worse tomorrow .

I got in 4 miles this morning:
Distance - 4 Miles outdoors (3 hood laps for me)
Time - 38:02 (easy pace, but I was really stressed in last 1.5 mile)
Avg/Peak - 151/169
650

Attention!- I edited the first post up top and added several links that you might find interesting reading or viewing. Some of them came from you guys!

*** Anyway, if you folks have or find articles that might benefit others here, please PM me the link and I'll edit them into the first post. It'll be easier to have them together on one page for easy access! Bring em' on!

HA HA HA if I had to run in yetrsdays' weather...I owuld have died. It was freaking freezing, it was raining cats and dogs and the wind was so strong it was pushing me along...lol. Running in the rain is THE worst!

sweetheart, you couldn't BE more wrong if you tried. Running in the rain is an absolutely incredible experience. I love it, and most runners that I talk to do as well.

Granted, I live in the mid Atlantic region, not Canada...

My goals-

Today, I want to better then I was yesterday. Tomorrow, I want to be better then I am today.

The second one (Wikipedia) is a bit wrong, IMHO -- it indicates heart changes are due to "excessive" amounts of exercise, but I've seen these changes in my own heart on my HRM and on echocardiograms, and I'm hardly an "excessive" exerciser at < 10 mpw until recently. Other than that, a very good article.

Thanks Analyst, Added! (please PM subsequent adds)

I added three supplements too, which runners may be interested in; BCAAs, glutamine, and beta-alanine.